The Terror War: The Uncomfortable Realities of the Irish War of Independence

by Joseph E.A. Connell

During the Irish War of Independence the British and the Irish sides often reflected one another. Both the Irish and the British succeeded in some areas, and were deficient in others. But both sides used terror – murder – burnings – shearing women’s hair – to intimidate the Irish population. British Field Marshal Henry Wilson said of the Black and ‘It was the business of the government to govern. If these men ought to be murdered, then the government ought to murder them.’ Michael Collins could equally chillingly ‘Careful application of terrorism is also an excellent form of total communication’. The actions of the British and Irish frequently mirrored one another – an uncomfortable reality of the War of Independence. This book examines the trauma of this period of Irish history – both the exceptional and the ordinary – through a diverse range of topics.

Joe Connell is an author, historian and regular contributor to Irish media, including Newstalk's Talking History and History Ireland magazine. This is his second book with Eastwood, following on from The Shadow War in 2019.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2021